LEGAZPI CITY — The local government of Daraga in Albay would be promoting the newly excavated 232-years-old Budiao Ruins located some 7.5 kilometers from the crater of Mayon Volcano as another tourist destination in the province in addition to Cagsawa Ruins.
Newly assumed Mayor Carlwyn Baldo said in an interview Thursday that Budiao Ruins was partly excavated through the efforts of the Diocese of Legazpi and the Archaeology Department of the University of the Philippines (UP).
Baldo said the ruins of the Budiao Church and the Daraga Catholic Cemetery were already declared locally by the Sangguniang Bayan of Daraga as heritage sites through Resolution No. 95-2017.
The resolution states that Budiao Ruins was established through the decree of the Superior Gobierno on November 29, 1786 or 232 years ago.
“It is a good addition to the tourist destinations in Daraga, along with the famous Cagsawa Ruins and the Our Lady of the Gate Parish, more popularly known as Daraga Church, which was declared as National Cultural Treasure of the Philippines in 2007,” the same resolution read.
Baldo expressed gratitude to UP and the Catholic church for spearheading the excavation.
“We welcome the excavation, and we are grateful to Dr. Evangelina Recto, Prof. Angel Recto, UP Archaeology Department headed by Dr. Lee Anthony Neri as their site director, the National Museum of the Philippines for extending their support as this can further boost tourism in our town. The Budiao Ruins evidently shows the rich heritage and cultural history of Daraga,” Baldo said.
Daraga’s tourist attractions are the Daraga Church that is built on top of a hill, the Cagsawa Ruins, and the latest, Budiao Ruins. (Samuel Toledo/PNA)
